San Diego Police Department Policy Manual

The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) makes its Policies and Procedures available online, including a comprehensive policy manual that governs everything from patrol operations to specialized units and administrative practices. The manual reflects a large coastal city with complex issues: border proximity, tourism, protests, homelessness, and a diverse community. Policies emphasize constitutional policing, detailed use of force guidance, critical incident management, and clear expectations for supervisors at every stage of an event.

For SDPD promotion prep, build a **layered outline** of the policy manual. Start by listing all major chapters (e.g., organization, patrol operations, use of force, investigations, equipment, custody, community programs). Then:

- Flag the chapters that have the highest liability (force, pursuits, custody, firearms, complaints, and critical incidents).
- Within those, mark the sections that explicitly describe supervisory or command responsibilities.

Your personal study guide should turn each chapter into a set of short, practical rules: when supervisors must respond in person, what must be documented, which options are permitted, and what must be reported up the chain. Think like an SDPD watch commander: “What am I expected to know and do when this goes sideways?”

When reviewing SDPD policies, pay close attention to:

- **Use of force and weapons policies** – definitions, levels of force, reporting, review processes, and post-incident procedures.
- **Vehicle pursuits and emergency response** – initiation criteria, continuous risk assessment, multi-unit coordination, and pursuit termination.
- **Arrest, search, and detention policies** – legal thresholds, handling of evidence, prisoner transport, and special populations.
- **Critical incident and major event management** – command roles, incident command system use, notifications, and after-action review.
- **Complaints, discipline, and internal investigations** – intake, classifications, officer rights, and possible outcomes.
- **Community relations and problem-oriented policing** – expectations for community contacts, problem-solving, and documentation of long-term issues.

For SDPD promotional exams:

1. **Expect detailed policy distinctions.** Questions may hinge on small but important differences (e.g., when a given force option is authorized vs. discouraged, or what level of notification is required for specific incidents).
2. **Use “policy plus practice” study.** After reading a policy, imagine how it would play out during a busy shift. Ask: What mistakes do officers commonly make here? What would I correct as a supervisor?
3. **Build scenario banks.** Create a bank of brief SDPD-style scenarios — pursuits through city neighborhoods, protests downtown, critical incidents near tourist areas, etc. — and practice applying the manual step-by-step.
4. **Summarize supervisor roles.** For each major policy, write a one-sentence summary that starts with “Supervisors are responsible for…”. This keeps your focus on what the exam is really measuring: your readiness to lead within policy.